Physiological and morphological investigation of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) gill filaments with high salinity exposure and recovery.

Salvatore D Blair,Derrick Matheson,Greg G Goss

doi:10.1093/conphys/cox040

Abstract

Freshwater environments are at risk of increasing salinity due to multiple anthropogenic forces including current oil and gas extraction practices that result in large volumes of hypersaline water. Unintentional releases of hypersaline water into freshwater environments act as an osmoregulatory stressor to many aquatic organisms including native salmonids like the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). Compared to more euryhaline salmonids, Arctic grayling have a reduced salinity tolerance and develop an elevated interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) in response to salinity exposure (17 ppt). In this study, we described the gill morphology and cell types characterizing the ICLM. Further, we investigated whether Arctic grayling could recover in freshwater following a short-term (<48 h) salinity exposure. Arctic grayling were exposed to 17 ppt saline water for 12, 24 and 48 h. Following the 24 and 48 h salinity exposure, Arctic grayling were returned to freshwater for 24 h to assess their ability to recover from, and reverse, the osmotic disturbances. Physiological serum [Na+], [Cl-] and total osmolality were significantly elevated and progressively increased at 12, 24 and 48 h salinity exposures. The 24 h post-exposure recovery period resulted in Arctic grayling serum ion concentrations and total osmolality returning to near normal levels. Similar recovery patterns were observed in the salinity-induced ILCM, which developed as early as 12 h of exposure to 17 ppt, and then reverted to control levels following 24 h in freshwater. Gill histology indicates an increased number of apically located mucous cells in the interlamellar space following salinity exposure of Arctic grayling. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy data show the presence of granule containing eosinophil-like cells infiltrating the ILCM suggesting a salinity-induced immune response by the Arctic grayling.

Highlights

The salmonid, Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is the only Thymallus species, of the monogeneric sub-family Thymallinae, that is native to North America
A similar osmotic recovery pattern was observed in fish that were returned to freshwater for 24 h, following exposure to 17 ppt for 48 h
Physiological data confirm the poor salinity tolerance and relatively stenohaline behaviour of this salmonid while novel morphological evidence effectively provides insight into the cell and tissue alterations occurring during these osmotic perturbations

Summary

Introduction

The salmonid, Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is the only Thymallus species, of the monogeneric sub-family Thymallinae, that is native to North America. T. arcticus range extended west of Hudson Bay to Alaska, across the northern halves of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with populations found in Michigan and Montana (Stamford and Taylor, 2004). Across their Holarctic range, this species has a secure global. There are local native populations in North America that range from extirpated to vulnerable conservation status (Page and Burr, 2011; NatureServe, 2017). The exact reasons for this decline are unknown but likely include habitat fragmentation, overfishing, climate change and watershed effects brought on by the oil and gas industry (Walker, 2005)

Methods

Results

Conclusion